Heavy rain that lashed parts of the South Island yesterday has moved on, but new orange heavy rain warnings have been issued for parts of the North Island.
Orange heavy rain warnings for the South Island into this morning have all been lifted.
In the North Island, MetService has issued orange heavy rain warnings for Mount Taranaki/Taranaki Mounga and the Tararua ranges until 3pm this afternoon.
Up to 100mm of rain was expected to accumulate in the Mount Taranaki region, with peak rates of 20 to 30mm/h expected this morning.
An orange heavy rain warning was also in place for the ranges of eastern Bay of Plenty, from 2pm to midnight tonight.
NIWA said western regions in the North Island would experience the heaviest rain this morning and early afternoon, followed by eastern regions later in the day.
Northland, Northern Taranaki also Waitomo, Taumarunui and northern Taihape, including the Tongariro National Park were also under heavy rain watches today.
MetService said most other areas of the country experienced “warmer than average muggy temperatures” yesterday well into the night.
Ngawi, at the very southern tip of the North Island was warmer overnight than its typical November day, dropping only to 19.3C at 4am this morning, the forecaster said.
Surface flooding also caused congestion during rush-hour in Wellington this morning, with a southbound lane of SH2 in Petone earlier closed due to surface flooding.
New Zealand Transport Agency said the flooding has receded and all lanes had reopened.
“Please continue to expect delays while congestion eases.”
